The day has come, finally the VSM truck mod is available for download (here), but before downloading I strongly recommend you to read this text so you know exactly what you are downloading and why the release was done this way.
Why is the mod called "Early Access"?
Because "Early Access" is stupid buzzword now to call an unfinished, half-baked game and people apparently accept it calmly without complaining, simple. Jokes aside, it's a little mockery/criticism about the fact that developers are releasing half-baked games, calling them "early access" and still charging for it. This version of the mod is nothing more than a "beta".
Why was it released like this and not in a finalized 1.0 version?
Simple, because Automobilista 1 is practically dead at this point, combined with the fact that I really don't feel in the mood to work with this mod anymore, so it's better to make it available in this way so that at least the few remaining players can enjoy it. have fun with something, considering that the final version will take a long time, if there is a final version.
Also, launching this mod frees me from the responsibility and my feeling of duty that I had to finish it, now I can go and deal with something else before working on this mod again and gives me a little bit of much-needed peace of mind.
And what changes from what was supposed to be the final version?
Firstly, how many seasons are available. Originally the mod would be 2001-2013, but in the "Early Access" version you have "only" the seasons from 2001 to 2007, with the content between 2008 and 2013 cut and the reason for the cut is very simple: I don't have these seasons complete yet . In the final version, the idea is that these seasons will return.
Another factor is the quality of the models. One of the serious problems with this mod and one of the reasons I'm releasing this version is the time I've been developing this mod, which is since 2013, seriously, there are people who don't believe me when I talk about it, but it's a fact, I've been developing this mod since Reiza released the first GFT. With this in mind, some of the 3D models I made first haven't aged particularly well, which in some cases is requiring me to redo them from scratch again, which not only costs me a lot of time again, but also directly affects my willingness to work on this. mod. Some of the models in this "Early Access" version I call "placeholders", which are models that I was originally going to replace and, in the case of final version 1.0, will be replaced by new models. The most glaring case is probably the Volvo NH12, it is the oldest model of this mod and it is something noticeable. For the mod to reach version 1.0, is the model that will definitely have to be exchanged for a new one modeled from scratch.
A basic way to know if the model is a "placeholder" is to look at the exhaust pipe. I only discovered that the catalytic converter began to be used officially in 2009, very late in the development of the mod (and yes, the photos are so bad and few that it was not possible to see from them that the trucks did not use them), that the models that are using this are models that will still undergo treatment (like the Mercedes) or will be remade like the aforementioned NH12.
When is the final version 1.0 coming out?
I don't know, I don't even know if this version will exist. But updates may come over time even before 1.0.
Why is this mod so hard to make?
Firstly because I'm a megalomaniac who should never have even had the idea of making a mod with so many seasons. That said, we have other questions: The first has already been addressed previously, which is the fact that I started this mod in 2013 and since then my modeling skills have changed a lot and if I had started today (in fact I wouldn't have started ), it would probably be a faster and easier mod to develop, but I'm not the only problem in this equation...
Photos/References/General information back to 2006 season are almost impossible to find, for some reason. I was lucky to find someone who had a personal collection of photos that he took while attending events on-site during 2001 and 2005 and these photos are key to the development of this mod, but they are limited and mostly in low resolution. I had to use my head a lot to be able to replicate these trucks. Blueprints? Scales? Technical regulation? HAHAHA, fun joke.
Another factor is that Formula Truck has always been a very open and experimental championship, which means that basically each truck is its own model, which makes my work even greater. Don't believe what I'm saying?, take a truck model in the mod and compare it from one team to another or from one year to the next. It's hell.
Templates?
Following VSM's new policy, templates will not be available, particularly because of this mod due to the fact that practically each truck has its own template, there are Gbs and Gbs of files that would be a huge job just to organize.
But, if you really want/need any of the templates, look for me on the VSM Facebook page, but bring your wallet, I will charge 5 US dollars/25 BRL for EACH template and they will be for individual use, NOT for leagues to make available in case a league administrator makes the purchase. Also keep in mind that this mod is still under development, so changes to the templates may still occur and I will not refund money/give the new template in case of change.
Why won't it be a copyleft/free-to-use mod this time?
Because I don't want it to be, the end. Seriously, this mod cost me, no joke, a chunk of my life to make and it's not even complete yet, so I don't want to see idiots who don't even know how to make a skin converting/messing this mod and then go around saying they are the ones who did it, I don't want them to do with it what they did with the Retro Truck mod, for example, I will even flag any stupid conversion I see of this mod.
Also, there is the fact that this mod was put together using original assets from the game, therefore, made by Reiza Studios and I don't think they will enjoy seeing their files running around in other games.
Physics, bugs, miscellany.
Physics are the original from Reiza, with just one adjustment so the trucks have the correct engine according to the season, but all the physics itself is original from Reiza - So if the mod presents any physics bug, complain to support @Reiza.
Original audio by Reiza too..
I tested this mod exhaustively in 4K with the graphics at maximum and I didn't have any problems.
There's no need to keep reporting bugs to me, unless it's something that closes the game.
Yes, the mod already has skill files for the AI.
It's the VSM-defining mod and even though it's still in beta, I mean, "early access", I hope you have fun :)
But wait, before you go, a final little warning: The IndyCar 2015 mod has been officially retired, I will no longer maintain download links or any mention of it on the site and the reason is quite simple: It's a awful mod and I don't want it forming part of the VSM portfolio, hue.
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